British Moroccans


British Moroccans are citizens and/or residents of the United Kingdom whose ethnic origins lie fully or partially in Morocco.

Migration history

Mass migration from Morocco to the United Kingdom began in the 1960s, primarily consisting of migrant workers recruited to work in the hotel and catering industries. The community has grown significantly due to high birth rates as well as sponsored migration of dependents.

Population and distribution

The 2001 Census recorded 12,348 Moroccan-born people residing in the UK. 2009 estimates reported by the Runymede Trust suggested between 65,000 and 70,000 people of Moroccan origin reside in the UK. The Office for National Statistics estimates the Moroccan-born population to have been 34,000 in 2015. Outside of London, Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, has the highest population of Moroccans in the UK.
According to the 2011 UK Census, a total of 21,880 people born in Morocco were residing in the UK: 21,016 were recorded in England, 230 in Wales, 530 in Scotland and 104 in Northern Ireland.
The National Association of British Arabs categorises Morocco-born immigrants as Arabs. Based on census data, it indicates that they are the sixth largest population of British Arabs by country of birth.

Notable British-Moroccans or Moroccans in the United Kingdom